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Background

Douglas Grant

Call: 2018

"A very user-friendly and highly intelligent barrister who I would recommend for any litigation."

Insurance and Reinsurance (Up and Coming), Chambers UK Bar 2026

‘Doug is proactive, polite and sharp. He handled advocacy with unpretentious charm and confidence even when the cards were stacked against him.'

Insurance and Reinsurance, Legal 500 2026

‘Doug is clearly extremely intelligent with an eye for detail.‘

Insurance and Reinsurance, Legal 500 2024

‘Doug has excellent attention to detail. He is very quick in understanding complex technical points.'

Insurance and Reinsurance, Legal 500 2025
+44 (0)20 7910 8300
dgrant@7kbw.co.uk
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Douglas Grant is a commercial barrister specialising in arbitration, insurance, commodities, shipping and general commercial disputes. He is listed in The Legal 500 2024 as a “rising star” in insurance and reinsurance.

Douglas’ current and recent work includes:

  • Russian Aircraft OP Claims, acting for the lead group of claimants in the multi-billion-dollar Russian Aircraft Operator Policy claims, in which the claimants successfully resisted a jurisdiction challenge on the grounds that (among other things) they were unlikely to obtain a fair trial in Russia ([2024] EWHC 734 (Comm)).
  • Tyson International Company Ltd v Partner Re Insurance Europe SE [2023] EWHC 3423 (Comm); [2024] EWCA Civ 363, acting for the successful defendant in obtaining a stay of English proceedings under s.9 of the Arbitration Act 1996 and resisting an appeal to the Court of Appeal, led by James Brocklebank KC.
  • C v D, a Bermuda Form arbitration concerning defective products sold in the US market, led by Gavin Kealey KC and Sushma Ananda.
  • Technip Saudi Arabia v Mediterranean & Gulf Insurance and Reinsurance Co. [2023] EWHC 1859 (Comm); [2024] EWCA Civ 481, acting for the successful defendant in a US$31m claim under a policy of offshore construction all risks insurance and resisting an appeal to the Court of Appeal, led by James Brocklebank KC.
  • R (Manchikalapati & Ors) v Financial Services Compensation Scheme[2022] EWHC 2228 (Admin); [2023] EWCA Civ 1006, a judicial review of a decision by the Financial Services Compensation Scheme, led by James Drake KC.
  • Greggs Plc v Zurich Insurance Plc [2022] EWHC 2545 (Comm), a preliminary issues trial concerning the aggregation of Covid-19 business interruption losses and deductions for government support, led by Peter MacDonald Eggers KC and Sandra Healy.
  • FCA v Arch [2021] UKSC 1, a leapfrog appeal to the Supreme Court concerning insurance cover for business interruption losses arising out of the Covid-19 pandemic, led by Jonathan Gaisman KC and Adam Fenton KC.

As sole counsel, Douglas’ current and recent work includes several shipping and commodities arbitrations under LCIA, LMAA, GAFTA and FOSFA rules, a professional negligence claim against accountants for allegedly negligent tax advice, and an insurance dispute involving allegations of fraudulent non-disclosure.

Before coming to the Bar, Douglas graduated from the University of Oxford with a First Class degree in Modern Languages. He speaks French, German and Swedish.

Expertise

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  • Tyson International Company Ltd v Partner Re Insurance Europe SE [2023] EWHC 3423 (Comm); [2024] EWCA Civ 363, acting for the successful defendant in obtaining a stay of English proceedings under s.9 of the Arbitration Act 1996 and resisting an appeal to the Court of Appeal, led by James Brocklebank KC.
  • A v B, an arbitration concerning insurance cover for corporate liabilities arising out of a large-scale fraud in the US, led by Rebecca Sabben-Clare KC.
  • C v D, a Bermuda Form arbitration concerning defective products sold in the US market, led by Gavin Kealey KC and Sushma Ananda.
  • Acting in a hard-fought LCIA arbitration between two Ukrainian businesspeople involving allegations of fraud and forgery, led by Stephen Hofmeyr KC.
  • Acting as sole counsel in numerous shipping and commodities arbitrations, including under LCIA, LMAA, GAFTA and FOSFA rules and appeals to the GAFTA and FOSFA Boards of Appeal.
  • Russian Aircraft OP Claims, acting for the lead group of claimants in the the multi-billion-dollar Russian Aircraft Operator Policy claims, in which the claimants successfully resisted a jurisdiction challenge on the grounds that (among other things) they were unlikely to obtain a fair trial in Russia ([2024] EWHC 734 (Comm)).
  • A €30m claim relating to damage to crops as a result of contaminated pesticide, led by James Brocklebank KC.
  • 57 Whitehall SARL v Aon UK Limited, a £25m Commercial Court claim in which it is alleged that the defendant broker failed to obtain sufficient cover for Covid-19 losses in respect of the redevelopment of the Old War Office, led by Rebecca Sabben-Clare KC.
  • Tyson International Company Ltd v Partner Re Insurance Europe SE [2023] EWHC 3423 (Comm); [2024] EWCA Civ 363, acting for the successful defendant in obtaining a stay of English proceedings under s.9 of the Arbitration Act 1996 and resisting an appeal to the Court of Appeal, led by James Brocklebank KC.
  • Technip Saudi Arabia v Mediterranean & Gulf Insurance and Reinsurance Co. [2023] EWHC 1859 (Comm); [2024] EWCA Civ 481, acting for the successful defendant in a US$31m claim under a policy of offshore construction all risks insurance and resisting an appeal to the Court of Appeal, led by James Brocklebank KC.
  • Greggs Plc v Zurich Insurance Plc [2022] EWHC 2545 (Comm), a preliminary issues trial concerning the aggregation of Covid-19 business interruption losses and deductions for government support, led by Peter MacDonald Eggers KC and Sandra Healy.
  • FCA v Arch [2021] UKSC 1, a leapfrog appeal to the Supreme Court concerning insurance cover for business interruption losses arising out of the Covid-19 pandemic, led by Jonathan Gaisman KC and Adam Fenton KC.
  • Acting, as sole counsel, for the Defendant in a multi-million pound breach of warranty claim arising out of the sale of shares in a professional services firm.
  • Russian Aircraft OP Claims, acting for the lead group of claimants in the the multi-billion-dollar Russian Aircraft Operator Policy claims, in which the claimants successfully resisted a jurisdiction challenge on the grounds that (among other things) they were unlikely to obtain a fair trial in Russia ([2024] EWHC 734 (Comm)).
  • Y v Z, a £50m arbitration concerning allegations of fraudulent misrepresentation and non-disclosure.
  • 57 Whitehall SARL v Aon UK Limited, a £25m Commercial Court claim in which it is alleged that the defendant broker failed to obtain sufficient cover for Covid-19 losses in respect of the redevelopment of the Old War Office, led by Rebecca Sabben-Clare KC.
  • P v Q, a £60m arbitration concerning the destruction of an historic building.
  • A v B, an arbitration concerning cover for corporate liabilities arising out of a large-scale fraud in the US, led by Rebecca Sabben-Clare KC.
  • Tyson International Company Ltd v Partner Re Insurance Europe SE [2023] EWHC 3423 (Comm); [2024] EWCA Civ 363, acting for the successful defendant in obtaining a stay of English proceedings under s.9 of the Arbitration Act 1996 and resisting an appeal to the Court of Appeal, led by James Brocklebank KC.
  • C v D, a Bermuda Form arbitration concerning defective products sold in the US market, led by Gavin Kealey KC and Sushma Ananda.
  • Technip Saudi Arabia v Mediterranean & Gulf Insurance and Reinsurance Co. [2023] EWHC 1859 (Comm); [2024] EWCA Civ 481, acting for the successful defendant in a US$31m claim under a policy of offshore construction all risks insurance and resisting an appeal to the Court of Appeal, led by James Brocklebank KC.
  • R (Manchikalapati & Ors) v Financial Services Compensation Scheme [2022] EWHC 2228 (Admin); [2023] EWCA Civ 1006, a judicial review of a decision by the Financial Services Compensation Scheme, led by James Drake KC.
  • Greggs Plc v Zurich Insurance Plc [2022] EWHC 2545 (Comm), a preliminary issues trial concerning the aggregation of Covid-19 business interruption losses and deductions for government support, led by Peter MacDonald Eggers KC and Sandra Healy.
  • FCA v Arch [2021] UKSC 1, a leapfrog appeal to the Supreme Court concerning insurance cover for business interruption losses arising out of the Covid-19 pandemic, led by Jonathan Gaisman KC and Adam Fenton KC.
  • Acting as sole counsel in a claim involving allegations of fraudulent non-disclosure.
  • Acting for the defendant insured in a claim by insurers for unpaid premium.
  • Acting as sole counsel in a £500,000 claim for unpaid insurance broker’s commission.
  • Acting as sole counsel in a £800,000 insurance broker’s negligence claim.
  • Acting as sole counsel for the insured in a £2m property insurance dispute.
  • Advising on the effect of US-Iran sanctions on a claim under a marine insurance policy.
  • Advising in relation to professional indemnity cover for cladding-related claims following the Grenfell Tower disaster.
  • A €30m Commercial Court claim relating to damage to crops as a result of contaminated pesticide, led by James Brocklebank KC.
  • Acting as sole counsel in a US$1.5m GAFTA arbitration appeal.
  • Acting for the sellers in a claim under a dishonoured letter of credit.
  • Acting as sole counsel in a GAFTA arbitration, including a successful appeal to the GAFTA Board of Appeal.
  • Acting as sole counsel in a multi-million-dollar commodities arbitration concerning the effect of a certificate final clause.
  • Acting as sole counsel in a multi-million-dollar commodities arbitration involving a dispute as to whether a binding contract had been concluded.
  • Advising an EU commodities trader in relation to compliance with global anti-corruption and sanctions regimes.

Douglas has experience of acting in and advising on a wide range of shipping disputes, and has spent six months on secondment at a leading shipping firm. Current and recent work includes:

  • Acting as sole counsel in a Hong Kong arbitration in relation to damage to the cargo and vessel as a result of overloading.
  • Successfully obtaining summary judgment in a claim for unpaid freight.
  • Acting as sole counsel in a Hong Kong arbitration in relation to non-performance of a ship sale and purchase contract.
  • Acting as sole counsel for the carrier in a claim regarding the damage of a perishable cargo.
  • Acting for the owners in a claim for general average, led by Stephen Kenny KC.
  • Acting in a LMAA arbitration concerning an agreement for the sale and purchase of a ship terminated during the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic.
  • Advising on the negligent management defence under the Hague-Visby Rules.
  • Advising on a dangerous cargo claim relating to the shipment of Indonesian coal.
  • 57 Whitehall SARL v Aon UK Limited, a £25m Commercial Court claim in which it is alleged that the defendant broker failed to obtain sufficient cover for Covid-19 losses in respect of the redevelopment of the Old War Office, led by Rebecca Sabben-Clare KC.
  • Acting as sole counsel in a professional negligence claim against accountants for allegedly negligent tax advice.
  • Acting as sole counsel for the insured in a £800,000 broker’s negligence claim.
  • Acting for the Financial Reporting Council in an investigation into the audits of a FTSE 100 company, led by Noel Casey.

What the directories say

“A strong barrister who is easy to work with and responsive.”
“Douglas Grant is very hard-working and responsive, with an impressive eye for detail. ”
“A very user-friendly and highly intelligent barrister who I would recommend for any litigation.”

Insurance and Reinsurance (Up and Coming), Chambers UK Bar 2026

‘Doug is proactive, polite and sharp. He handled advocacy with unpretentious charm and confidence even when the cards were stacked against him.’

Insurance and Reinsurance, Legal 500 2026

‘Doug has excellent attention to detail. He is very quick in understanding complex technical points.’

Insurance and Reinsurance, Legal 500 2025

‘Doug is clearly extremely intelligent with an eye for detail.’

Insurance and Reinsurance, Legal 500 2024

Related content

+44 (0)20 7910 8300
dgrant@7kbw.co.uk
Download CV (PDF)
Download vCard
Print
Privacy Policy

For more information
Contact our clerks for assistance with choosing the right barrister for your matter.

Bar Professional Training Course, City University, London: Very Competent (2018)

Graduate Diploma in Law, City University, London: Distinction (1st in year) (2017)

BA Modern Languages, University of Oxford: First Class (2015)

Scholarships & Awards

Winner, City University Senior Moot (2018)

Winning team, Lincoln’s Inn Inter-Provider Mooting Competition (2018)

Winning team, European Law Moot Competition (2017)

Winning team, QUB/HSF Corporate Law Moot (2017)

3 Verulam Buildings Prize for Best Overall Performance on the GDL (2017)

Jean Monnet Prize for Best Performance in EU Law (shared) (2017)

Denning, Haldane and Hardwicke Scholarships (Lincoln’s Inn)

Languages

French, German, Swedish

Get in touch

For more information please contact our clerks on +44 (0)20 7910 8300 or [email protected]

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